General News
5 May, 2026
Community demands rethink on asset disposal
A PETITION with more than 2000 signatures opposing Tablelands Regional Council’s plans to dispose of 44 public assets has been handed to Mayor Rod Marti after a passionate speech imploring the organisation to rethink the sell-off.
Community advocate Tina Edwards made it clear that the divestment of the assets was causing much concern, especially since there were another 260 public assets on the chopping block that had not yet been disclosed to the public.
“This is not just about toilets, pools, or buildings. This is about process, accountability, and trust,” she said.
“Right now, the community does not trust that these decisions are being made transparently, fairly or with proper consultation.
“We are being asked to accept the loss of community assets without being given the full picture.
“We are told there are another 260 assets being considered for divestment, so the question is simple: why hasn’t council released the full list?
“What are the next 260 to be divested? Halls? Clubhouses? Picture theatre?
“How can communities respond or propose alternatives if they don’t even know what is at risk? Transparency should not be optional.”
In her deputation, Ms Edwards claimed the council was deliberately allowing some assets to fall into disrepair so they could easily “be declared unsafe and removed”.
She cited Malanda’s Patrick English Pavilion and the Mt Garnet pool as examples of public facilities that had been allowed to deteriorate due to a lack of maintenance so they could be disposed of.
“This creates a real concern. Assets are being allowed to deteriorate until removal becomes the only option,” she told council.
“That is not sustainable management – that is avoidable loss.”
Ms Edwards said the community was asking for “a pause, full disclosure, genuine community-wide consultation, and proper maintenance of essential infrastructure”.
She drew attention to the closure of public toilets, including amenities at Rotary Park in Atherton and the impending demolition of the Vernon Street toilet block, which she described as “a massive failure in planning by this council”.
“The council has pushed forward with the redevelopment of the Priors Creek Parklands but managed to overlook a basic human necessity.
“The replacement toilets at Priors Creek are well over 500 metres from the centre of town and well over this for people visiting businesses on Mabel Street.
“I formally request that no action is taken on the Vernon St amenities while these issues remain unresolved.”
Ms Edwards also demanded to know why the Rocky Creek and Archers Creek amenities were on the council’s disposal list.
“The Rocky Creek site supports tourists, campers, and travellers. Removing it would directly impact the region’s tourism economy,” she said.
“The Archers Creek facility is used by locals, markets, and visitors including people from Mt Garnet who now travel there because their pool is gone.
“If closed, this is a public health issue, a dignity issue, and a failure of basic service delivery.”
Ms Edwards wrapped up her deputation by calling on council to stop the asset divestment process, “be transparent and consult with the whole community” which, she said, had “become selective, limited and predetermined”.
“As I’ve spoken with a vast number of residents and businesses, one message is consistent – people are frustrated and angry,” she said.
“They are seeing rising rates, increasing wages, and more administrative staff while, at the same time, facilities, roads and infrastructure are not being properly maintained.
“Council says it cannot afford to maintain community assets, yet the wages bill is around $10 million per year higher than Mareeba Shire Council and still growing while, at the same time, council cries poor.”
